Leeds United played their first pre-season game this summer, against Manchester United in Stockholm. The team had rigorously been preparing this past week.
Most of the players in the team reported to pre-season training and have undergone fitness tests. Ahead of the game against Manchester United, the Red Devils were missing Rashford, Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia. Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez missed the game due to injury, and Joshua Zirkzee, who did not travel.
Both sides played to a hard fought goalless draw on Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd over around 45,000. Leeds fans will be pleased as their side took the game to Ruben Amorim’s side. The Whites had the chance to score, but it took Tom Heaton’s intervention to keep the scores level.
QUIZ: Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
Daniel Farke’s reaction to first pre-season game
The Leeds boss was not happy with the game, as he felt the team should have done better. Farke was pleased with how well the players fared despite being together for just a short time.
”First of all, I’m pleased with this game. I’m not over the moon because I want to win each game.
There was not too much time to get ready. We had to integrate many new faces and young players.”
Patrick Bamford not in the plans for this season
Credit: Imago
Daniel Farke then made the bold decision during the press conference – he confirmed that Patrick Bamford is not in his plans this season.
”I had a really open and honest conversation with him. Patrick knows how much I value him as a player.
He knows how much I rate him as a person so I felt it was my duty to have a very open and honest conversation right now straight away.
Second day of pre-season I told him he wasn’t in my plans for the Premier League season due to the fact he had difficult years in the last years.” (quotes via Leeds Live).
Mateo Joseph is the real winner
Lukas Nmecha has been the only new signing in attack this summer. And now with Patrick Bamford gone, the main person to benefit is Mateo Joseph. This week, the club rejected a bid for Real Betis, saying the youngster was not for sale.
Credit: Danishscout
Now it makes sense why that decision was made. Joseph will now compete with Piroe and Nmecha up top. Ultimately, it looks like Leeds have made the right decision.
